Shane Greene has always been the guy with great stuff but has never able to put it together into a successful season. Always… until last year. Most felt that he would eventually be a reliever or fizzle out as his stats early in his career left a lot to be desired. 2013 was a revelation for Greene though and he’s now back on the prospect map and knocking on the door to the majors.

Shane started his career where most Yankees rookies do, in the GCL. There he pitched 23.0 innings and had a 5.87 ERA wth 20 K. The following year he split time between Staten Island and Charleston. Overall he threw 68.2 innings and had a 4.59 ERA with 29 BB and 66 K. He showed the ability to get the strikeout but lacked control. It was basically how his career would play out until 2013.

In 2011 he spent the entire season in Charleston. There he was able to build up his innings count to 138.0. He still struggled with a 4.37 ERA and 68 walks while striking out 128. 2012 would be his worst as a pro. In High-A he struggled and only threw 112.0 innings while walking 63 and pitching to a 5.22 ERA. His walk rate was a career high 5.1 per nine innings. At this poing his career appeared to be on a downturn, and he was already 23. He would need a break out season in 2013 to have a prayer at the major leagues.

He did just that. He was started in High-A again for some seasoning and threw 75.0 innings there with a 3.6 ERA and 69 K. Most iportantly, he decreased his walk rate to 1.2 per nine. When he got promoted to Trenton he only got better. There he threw 79.1 innings and had a 3.18 ERA and 68 K. Overall he threw 154.1 innings and had 137 K with a 3.38 ERA in his true breakout season. He’ll likely start 2014 in Triple-A, where he’s just an injury away from being promoted to the majors.

The Stuff:

With a four-seam fastball that sits from 92-95 and has reached as high as 98 and a sinker that sits 92-93, he sets up his secondary pitches well. His calling card has always been the slider, which is his strikeout pitch. He also has a changeup though that has become a major weapon for him.

Prior to this year his control was the main thing holding him back. Now that he has corrected that problem, there’s not much stopping him from being an impact player. Provided that he can continue to display that kind of control, it won’t be long before he gets his chance in the Bronx. He’ll go into 2014 as one of the most underrated pitchers on this farm and one who could quickly become one of the best turnaround stories of the decade.

Ceiling/Floor:

His ceiling as of right now is a 3rd starter in the major leagues. He is getting very close to reaching that ceiling. The floor at this point is a major league reliever, possibly late innings. He has a comparatively high likelihood of reaching that major league ceiling given his close proximity to the majors. Given his age though there is not much likelihood of increasing his ceiling. At this point he is what he is.

2014 outlook:

He’ll most likely start the year in Triple-A, where he’s only a major league injury away from getting his shot. He came out of nowhere last year and he may come out of nowhere in the majors in 2014. He’ll most likely spend the year in Triple-A though and have a shot to make the team out of spring training in 2015.